Select any area to read what it covers. Course structure and hour requirements are being finalized during program development.
01Foundations of Doula Practice
History of doula care, the doula role, scope of practice, ethics, boundaries, confidentiality, client autonomy, referrals, and professional relationships.
02Pregnancy & Maternal Physiology
Reproductive anatomy, conception, fetal development, the placenta, maternal changes, prenatal care, common discomforts, high-risk pregnancy, complications, warning signs, testing, and when to refer.
03Labor & Birth
Stages of labor, hormonal physiology, positioning, movement, breathing, touch, counterpressure, hydrotherapy, partner support, hospital / birth center / home settings, induction, epidural, cesarean, assisted birth, VBAC, and unexpected changes.
04Communication & Advocacy
Informed consent, shared decision-making, helping clients form questions, medical terminology, client autonomy, advocacy skills, difficult interactions, recognizing bias, escalation, and scope.
05Black Maternal Health, History, Systems & Practice
Reproductive exploitation under slavery, medical racism, J. Marion Sims, maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity, bias and disparities, access, insurance and Medicaid, environment, birth settings, reproductive justice, and Black-led care.
06African & Diasporic Birth Traditions
African and diasporic traditions, African American and Gullah Geechee practices, Caribbean traditions, traditional midwifery, community birthworkers, grandmothers, foodways, postpartum nourishment and rest, naming and cultural practices, and cultural humility.
07Postpartum & the Fourth Trimester
Recovery, bleeding and pain, cesarean recovery, pelvic floor considerations, sleep, nutrition, hydration, breastfeeding, bottle and combination feeding, newborn cues, emotional changes, warning signs, and family and household support.
08Black Postpartum Health
Disparities, hypertension, hemorrhage, cardiovascular warning signs, infection, blood clots, readmission, postpartum depression and anxiety awareness, birth trauma, lactation disparities, and structural barriers.
09Doula Skills Lab
Hip squeezes, counterpressure, positions, movement, breathing, relaxation, touch and comfort measures, partner coaching, birth environment, and postpartum support — taught as knowledge, then demonstration, then evaluation.
10Professional Doula Practice
Consultations, intake, contracts, pricing, deposits, cancellations, backup and on-call systems, documentation, confidentiality, liability considerations, business structure, taxes, ethical marketing, agencies, healthcare relationships, and networking.